Program Support Assistant- Nursing, Acute Care

Summary The Program Support Assistant position is located in the Inpatient Nursing Service (INS) of the Associate Director of Patient Care Services Office at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. This position will serve as the Administrative Support/Program Support and performs work of a clinical office support nature, which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities and services several inpatient nursing units. Responsibilities Monitors and controls business papers, correspondence, and records throughout the INS sections, including the coordination of action papers with office and agency staff. Maintains the correspondence control system, which monitors the receipt and distribution of correspondence. Performs work involving the collection, compilation, and/or tracking of data and statistical information in support of the Inpatient Nursing Service's program operation. Maintains an automated system of program- specific data to track suspense dates on items such as progress reports, funding accomplishments, compliance strategies, correspondence, etc Monitors and reports on time and attendance. Maintains time and attendance for commonly used pay plans and types of leave or limited special pay situations. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating new hire activities for all personnel at the beginning of each bi-weekly pay period to include computer training, policies and procedures, ID badges, computer codes and access parking tag. Receives and processes documents and reports in accordance with established procedures. Reviews documents and reports for completeness and enters pertinent information into an automated tracking system. Performs database file searches and uses software applications to draw information to prepare/assist in preparation of reports. Assists in the planning, review, and reporting of data/statistical results of program/project studies Performs office automation duties using such software applications as electronic mail, desktop publishing, adobe, calendar, spreadsheet, database, and/or graphics. Assists other users with regard to selection of applications, training on a variety of standard application packages, and selection of appropriate formats and procedures for each task. Maintains computer generated log concerning incoming and outgoing correspondence. Receives, assigns, and monitors externally and internally generated correspondence and inquiries. Follows up to ensure observance of deadlines and coordination of internal comments and clearance Skills in applying basis data gathering methods, such as standard interviewing or surveying techniques, to collect various types of factual information. Knowledge of program guidelines, regulations and precedents, and knowledge of the basic objectives and policies governing various management or program operations. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant- Nursing, Acute Care/PD04045A, PD04044A, and PD04043A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts, or driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/08/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. For the GS-06 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For the GS-07 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Maintain accurate timekeeping and attendance records following established procedures; Enter, update, and retrieve data in automated systems with attention to detail; - Provide routine customer service by responding to straightforward questions from staff and patients; Prepare simple correspondence, forms, and documents using standard office software; and File, scan, and organize documents in accordance with policy and record-keeping requirements. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 4 years of education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university. Note: (Transcripts are required) OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education. Equivalent combination of successfully completed post high school education (beyond the first 60 semester hours) and specialized experience which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. Note: (Transcripts are required.) GS-06 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Track, monitor, and reconcile data in automated systems, ensuring accuracy and compliance with policies; Coordinate and schedule meetings, and logistics for multiple staff or service areas; - Provide detailed customer service, resolving routine problems and escalating issues appropriately; Draw, review, and edit a variety of administrative documents, reports, and spreadsheets and Maintain and update service-level tracking tools, performance metrics, or workload reports. GS-07 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Interpret and apply administrative regulations, policies, or procedural guidance to advise staff and ensure compliance; Analyze data to identify trends, discrepancies, or process improvements, and prepare summary reports for leadership; - Coordinate complex administrative functions for a service line, including managing deadlines, tracking actions, and ensuring follow-through; Prepare high-level correspondence, briefing materials, and reports with minimal supervision, and Provide training or guidance to new staff on administrative procedures and system navigation. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at